Can washer



Feb. 4, 1958. M. A. BECKER 2,821,988

CAN WASHER Filed April 14, 1954 United States Patent F 2,821,988 CAN WASHER Marion A. Becker, Oconto Falls, Wis., assignor to Beam Chemical Company, 0conto Falls, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 14, 1954, Serial No. 423,043 6 Claims. (Cl. 134-144) The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of cleansing receptacles, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of milk can washers.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved milk can washer which is simple, compact and durable in construction and which is moreover economical and highly efiicient in use.

Since cans used for shipping milk are subject to accumulations of so-called milk stone, dirt and the like, it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse such receptacles before they can be re-used. In cleansing these cans internally it has heretofore been common practice to inject sprays or jets of wash and rinse water into successively advancing inverted cans either by means of fixed nozzles disposed beneath the path of travel of the cans or by means of spray nozzles adapted to be moved upwardly into the can months as the motion of each of the successive cans is intermittently arrested. With respect to the use of fixed nozzles, effective cleansing of the can interiors cannot be accomplished due to the fact that the jets of wash and rinse liquid does not reach the corners and side walls of the receptacles and consequently cannot dislodge debris therefrom. As for the use of the commercially available types of washers having movable spray nozzles, such equipment is objectionable by reason of the slowness of the washing and rinsing operations caused by the necessity of periodically stopping the cans in addition to the fact that the apparatus is generally complicated and costly.

In is therefore a more specific object of this invention to provide an improved milk can washer which obviates all of the disadvantages and objections heretofore attendant prior devices intended for like purposes.

Another specific object of my invention is to provide an improved can washing apparatus which is adapted to speedily and efficiently wash the entire interior surface of continuously advancing inverted receptacles.

Another specific object of my invention is to provide a new and improved can washer by means of which the interior surfaces of successive cans may be most eflFectively cleansed by a spray nozzle which is automatically projected into the can mouths at varying angles during advancement of the cans.

Still another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved milk can washer which is composed of relatively few parts all of which are readily accessible for inspection, replacement or repair, and in which the washing and/or rinsing operations are automatic and in positive timing with the advancement of the cans along a given path.

An additional specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for thoroughly cleansing the interiors of milk cans which incorporates an exceedingly simple valve arrangement and a series of spray nozzles successively communicable with a source of wash and/or rinse water past the valve to thereby spray the interiors of advancing cans during the advancement thereof, the nozzles being shut off from the source of wash water while they are withdrawn from the can mouths.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide can cleansing apparatus comprising, a rotatable spray nozzleadapted to be projected upon rotation thereof into and .out of the pathrof movement of a succession of 2,821,988 Patented F ch. 4, 1958 ice inverted cans being transported on a conveyor, means for supplying liquid under pressure to the nozzle when projected into the can path, and means operable by the conveyor for rotating the nozzle in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the nozzle is extended into the mouth of a can when projected into the can path.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting the invention and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing a typical milk can washer embodying the improvements, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a milk can washer embodying my invention and showing the successive cans andspray nozzles in one position, and with portions of the cans broken away to reveal the upwardly projecting nozzles;

Fig. 2 is another fragmentary side elevational view of the can washer but showing the successive cans and spray nozzles in another position wherein one of the nozzles is projected straight upwardly into the can mouth;

Fig. 3 is still another fragmentary side elevational view of the washer taken from the opposite side of the unit and with the spray nozzles in a position corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary view of the end plate and rotary hub cooperating to form the valve for admitting fluid periodically to the successive nozzles, the view having been taken from the same side as Fig. 3 with .a portion of the end plate broken away to reveal normally concealed structure; and

Fig. 5 is a similarly enlarged transverse section through the valve-forming plate and hub taken along the lines 55 of Fig. 4.

While the present invention has been specifically shown and described herein as embodying four radiating nozzles particularly adapted for washing the interiors of milk cans while such cans are conveyed in succession and in inverted condition by means of a particular type of intermittently operated conveyor having a pair of spaced reciprocating transporting members, it is not desired or intended to thereby unnecessarily restrict the improvements and the utility thereof by reason of this limited embodiment; and it is also contemplated that certain specific descriptive terms employed herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the improved can washing apparatus forming the subject-matter of this invention is illustrated therein as being applied to and utilized with a conventional can conveyor of the type adapted to advance the cans step-by-step successively along a longitudinal path while the cans are positioned in inverted condition, but it should be understood that the improved apparatus may be readily adapted for use with other types of conveyors operating to advance the cans either intermittently or continuously. The conveying mechanism shown in the drawing for purposes of illustration comprises, in general, a pair of horizontal laterally-spaced parallel members or rails 11 for receiving and transporting a plurality of cans 10 positioned thereon in inverted condition with their mouth portions seated on the rails, each of the rails 11 being provided with a corresponding series of alined dogs 12 pivotally secured thereto with a preponderance of weight at the trailing portion thereof so as to automatically trip to the positions illustrated to engage the can lips when rotational movement thereof is unobstructed. The transporting members 11 are supported for longitudinal reciprocable movement on a table-like structure having vertical supporting legs 13 suitably braced as by means of upper and lower beams 14, 15 respectively, and means such as amoto'r, not shown, may be provided for reciprocating the members 11 through a suitable connecting rod 16 pivotally'securcd as at 17 to an intermediate-portion of a lever 18 having one end pivoted as at 19 to a stationary support '20 and the opposite end pivoted at 21 to the'rnembers-l'l.

The can transporting conveyor thus describedis of conventional construction, and as the transporting members 11 are moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1

by the lever 18, the dogs 12 engage the lips of the sucr ing the same about their respective pivots until the dogs are free to automatically trip back to pushing position as shown, whereupon the front vertical surfaces thereof again engage the can lips to carry the successive cans forwardly by another increment upon movement of the members 11 in the direction of the arrow. It is also customary to enclose the conveyor just described within a conventional casing or housing, not shown, so as to confine the wash and/ or rinse water to the enclosed area, with suitable means also being provided for collecting and recirculating or draining the accumulated water.

With more particular regard to the washing mechanism constituting the present invention, such apparatus comprises, in general, one or more spray nozzles 25 each secured to the outer end of a suitable tube or pipe '26 radiating from a common carrier or hub 27 rotatable about a central axis 28, the hub 27 having a generally plane smooth surface 29 lying perpendicular to the axis of rotation thereof and being provided with a passageway 30 for each -of the pipes 26 and nozzles 25, each of the passageways 30 extending from the plane hub surface 29 and having unobstructed communication with the respective nozzles 25 through the respective radiating pipes 26; a stationary end or head plate 31 having a similar flat or plane surface32 seated directly against the surface:29 of the hub and being provided with an arcuate recess .33 in the surface 32 located in the path of travel of the passageways 30, the plate 31 also being provided with an aperture or passage 34 extending therethrough to the central portion of the recess 33; means such as a suitable pump (not shown) for constantly supplying wash or rinse liquid under pressure to the arcuate recess 33 .by way of the aperture 34 through aconduit 35; and means, such as the linkage arrangement designated generally by the reference numeral 36, operable directly by the transporting members 11 of the conveyor and cooperable with the hub 27 for rotating the hub and the nozzles 27 in timed relation to the movement of the cans '10 whereby the nozzles are successively moved about the axis 28 and are extended into the mouths of the successive cans upon reaching the can path and are moved arcuately with the respective cans throughout the period which .thenozzles travel within the can path and while liquid is delivered thereto through the conduit 35, passage 34, arcuate recess "33, and pipes 26.

The mechanism shown for rotating the hub '27 and the nozzles 25 carried thereby may of "course be'modifi'etl to meet dilfer'ent conditions and "circumstances such as 'in stances in which a different type er conveyor is utilized for transporting the "cans or cases wherein agreater "or lesser number ofwa'shing nozzles are provide. However,

.4 and being connected at its upper end with the members 11 through a link 41 swingably secured to a lug or arm 42 carried by one of the members 11, a second lever 44 connected to the lever 38-by a longitudinally adjustable rod or connecting member 43, the lever 44 being pivotal- 1y mounted near its lower end as at 45 to the fixed beam or some other suitable support, and a pawl 46 pivoted as at 47 to the upper end of the lever 44 and having its swinging end and the finger 48 thereof cooperable with an annular series of laterally projecting lugs or pins 4-9 carried by the hub 27.

The hub 27, end plate 31, and beam 40 may all be conveniently mounted on a pair of upright rails or posts 51 secured to the upper and lower braces 14, 15 in any suitable manner so as to provide a complete unitary assemblage; and the arcuate recess 33 in the hub contacting face of the end plate 31 should have the same radius as the passageways or ports 30 in the hub face 29 so as to periodically place these ports in open communication with the source of wash or rinse liquid under pressure, the length of the recess 33 being such that the pressure liquid is discharged through each. nozzle 25 from the'time it first enters the can path and the mouth of the can until it leaves the can mouth thus causing the jets discharged from each nozzle to sweep the can interior at varyingangles during the advance thereof along the conveyor members 11. Also, the operating mechanism 36 may be rendered adjustable for synchronous movement of the nozzles and cans by providing a series of spaced openings 52 along the lever 38 for interchangeably receiving the pivot pin 53 of the connecting rod 43 and a like'series of openings 54 along the lever 44 for interchangeably .receiving the pin 55 of the rod 43, the rod 43 being longitudinallyadjustable as hereinabove indicated by forming the same of two pieces with a slot and bolt connection 56 therebetween.

In operation, the cans 10 are-successively advanced by the members 11 of the conveyor as hereinabove described, and as the conveyor members 11 travel in a forward direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, the lever 38 is rocked on its fixed pivot 39 in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise movement of the lever 38 is transmitted to the lever 44 by means of the connecting rod 43, causing the finger 48 of the pawl 46 to engage the adjacent pin 49 of the hub 27 and rotate the hub in a counterclockwisedirection in Fig. l for the full movement of the levers '44, 38 and the members 11. As the hub 27 thus rotates, one of the ports 30 is moved into 'alinement with the arcuate recess 33 of the end plate 31 and establishes communication between the source of supply :of pressure fluid and the nozzle 25 moving into the can path and one of the can mouths, and this communication between the nozz-le and the source of pressure fluid remains open throughout the arcuate travel of the nozzle 25 within the can path and while inserted into the can mouth, thus washing the interior of the can by jets of wash water'directed at varying angles into the can interior throughout the washing operation. Upon return movement of the members 11 in a direction opposite to the arrow, the levers 38, 44 are rocked in a clockwise direction about their respective pivots 39, until the finger 48 of the pawl 46 engages the next pin 49 proijecting'from the hub 27, and the washing process is then repeated on the next successive can being conveyed by the members 11 of'the conveyor.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent :that the :present invention contemplates the provision of a unitary can washing apparatus which is ex- 'cee'dingly simple :and' compact in construction and which "isrm'oreover.highlyeflicient in .actual operation. The entire assemblage in addition to being simple and compact 'is'iexceedingly durable in-construction and islcomposed of relatively .few working parts, all of which may be readily adjusted to :meet varying operating requirements. All :ot'the parts ot the improved washer are moneoverreadily accessible for inspection and repair, and the operation of the successive washing and/or rinsing nozzles is positive and automatic. The hub rotating mechanism may be rendered further adjustable by providing any desired number of additional openings 57 in the lever 38 for receiving the pivot pin 39 and by providing additional openings 58 along the lever 44 for receiving the pivot pin 45; and as already indicated, the number of nozzles may be varied as desired, as may the number of laterally projecting pins 49. The improved can washers have proven highly efiicient and effective in actual operation and any dirt lodged on the interior of the successively advancing cans is quickly dislodged by the action of the jets directed at various angles over and across the can interior by nozzles 25.

It should, of course, be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, a spray nozzle rotatable about an axis and adapted to be projected upon rotation into and out of the path of movement of the cans, a hub member movable with said nozzle about its axis and having an eccentric actuating portion, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzle when the same is projected into the can path, and means linked directly with the transporting members of the conveyor and directly cooperable with the actuating portion of said hub memher for positively rotating said nozzle in a single direction about its axis in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the nozzle is extended into the mouth of a can and is constantly arcuately moved with the can throughout its movement along said path.

2. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, an annular series of rotatably mounted spray nozzles radiating from a common hub and adapted to be successively projected upon rotation into and out of the path of movement of the cans, said hub having an eccentric actuating lug projecting therefrom, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles when they are projected into the can path, and means linked directly with the transporting members of the conveyor and coacting directly with said hub actuating lug for positively rotating said nozzles in a single direction about their axis in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the successive nozzles are extended into the mouths of the successive cans and are constantly arcuately moved with the cans throughout the movement thereof along said path.

3. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, an annular series of rotatably mounted spray nozzles radiating from a common carrier member and adapted to be successively projected upon rotation into and out of the path of movement of the cans, said carrier member having an annular series of eccentric lugs projecting therefrom, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles when they are projected into the can path, and means linked directly with the transporting members of the conveyor and directly cooperable with the lugs of said carrier member for positively rotating said carrier member and nozzles in a single direction about their axis in timed relation to the move ment of the cans whereby the successive nozzles are extended into the mouths of the successive cans and are constantly arcuately moved with the cans throughout the movement thereof along said path.

4. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, an annular series of rotatably mounted spray nozzles radiating from a common hub and adapted to be successively arcuately projected upon rotation into and along and out of the path of movement of the cans, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles through said hub during the entire period of projection of said nozzles into and along the can path, and means linked directly with the transporting members of the conveyor and directly cooperable with spaced projections on said hub for positively rotating said hub and nozzles in a single direction about their axis in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the successive nozzles are extended into the mouths of the successive cans at constantly varying angles throughout the projection thereof within the can path.

5. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, a spray nozzle carried by and radiating from a rotatable hub and adapted to be projected upon rotation of said hub into and out of the path of movement of the cans, said hub having a plane surface and a passageway therein communicating with said nozzle, a plate seated against the plane surface of said hub and having an arcuate recess adjacent said plane hub surface, means for constantly supplying liquid under pressure to the arcuate recess of said plate and through said hub passageway when the same is adjacent said plate recess and said nozzle is projected into the can path, and means operable directly by the transporting members of the conveyor and coacting directly with said hub for rotating said hub and nozzle in a single direction and in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the nozzle is extended into the mouth of a can and is constantly arcuately moved with the can throughout its movement along said path when said nozzle is positioned within the can path and while liquid is being delivered therethrough.

6. Apparatus for cleansing the interior of cans movable in succession in inverted position along a definite path by a conveyor having longitudinally movable transporting members, said apparatus comprising, an annular series of spray nozzles radiating from a common rotatable hub and adapted to be successively arcuately projected upon rotation of said hub into and along and out of the path of movement of the cans, said hub having a plane surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation and an annular series of passageways, each extending from the plane surface thereof to one of said nozzles, a non-rotatable plate seated against said plane hub surface and having an arcuate recess adjacent said plane surface, means for constantly supplying liquid under pressure to said arcuate plate recess and through said hub passageways when they are adjacent said plate recess and said nozzles are successively projected into and along the can path, and means linked directly with the transporting members of the conveyor and coacting directly with spaced lateral projections on said hub for positively rotating said hub and nozzles in a single direction about their axis in timed relation to the movement of the cans whereby the successive nozzles are extended into the mouths of the successive cans at constantly varying angles throughout the movement of said cans along said path when said nozzles are projected within the can path and when in communication with said liquid source.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 899,017 Arnold Sept. 22, 1908 2,002,178 Henry May 21, 1935 2,283,679 Lathrop May 19, 1942 2,522,310 Smith Sept. 12, 1950 

